New Guinea impatiens plant named ‘SAKIMP022’

ABSTRACT

A new New Guinea  Impatiens  plant named ‘SAKIMP022’ particularly distinguished by cherry red flower color, strong root system and a spreading plant growth habit is described.

Genus and species: Impatiens×hybrida (I. hawkeri).

Variety denomination: ‘SAKIMP022’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises of a new and distinct cultivar of NewGuinea Impatiens, botanically known as Impatiens×hybrida (I. hawkeri),and referred to by the variety name ‘SAKIMP022’. ‘SAKIMP022’ originatedfrom a controlled hybridization conducted in June 2004 between NewGuinea Impatiens ‘NC-35{circle around (2)}’, an unpatented proprietarybreeding line with an orange flower color and New Guinea Impatiens‘NC-229A’, an unpatented proprietary breeding line with a lilac flowercolor.

The F₁ plants were evaluated in Misato, Japan in an open field trial.The criteria for plant selection included a beautiful cherry red flowercolor, strong root system and a spreading plant growth habit. At thecompletion of the trial, one single-plant selection was made based onthe above criteria and vegetatively propagated. From May to August 2006,the selection was evaluated in an open field in Misato, Japan. Theselection subsequently was named ‘SAKIMP022’ and found to have itsunique characteristics reproduce true to type in successive generationsof asexual propagation.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for and‘SAKIMP022’ has not been made publicly available more than one yearprior to filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normalhorticultural practices in a greenhouse in Salinas, Calif.

-   -   1. Cherry red flower color;    -   2. Strong root system; and    -   3. Spreading plant growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

This New Guinea Impatiens plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show overall plant habit including blooms, buds, andfoliage of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonablyobtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are ofa plant about five months old, grown in a greenhouse in Salinas, Calif.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit.

FIG. 2 shows the mature inflorescence.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following traits and characteristics that describe the new varietywere obtained from plants grown about five months from propagation byterminal cutting in Salinas, Calif., under greenhouse conditions. Colorreferences are to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 4thedition (2001). Anatomic labels are from The Cambridge IllustratedGlossary of Botanical Terms, by M. Hickey and C. King, CambridgeUniversity Press.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Balsaminaceae.        -   Botanical.—Impatiens×hybrida (I. hawkeri).        -   Common name.—New Guinea Impatiens.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary New Guinea Impatiens plant line            ‘NC-35{circle around (2)}’.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary New Guinea Impatiens plant line            ‘NC-229A’.-   Growth:    -   -   Growth and branching habit.—Spreading.        -   Height.—25.0 cm to 26.0 cm from soil line to top of foliage.        -   Width.—44.0 cm to 45.0 cm.        -   Propagation.—Vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—6 to 8 weeks.        -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—Approximately 4 weeks.        -   Environmental conditions for plant growth.—The terminal 1.0            to 1.5 inches of an actively growing stem was excised. The            vegetative cuttings were propagated in five to six weeks.            The base of the cuttings were dipped for 1 to 2 seconds in a            1:9 solution of Dip 'N Grow (1 solution: 9 water) root            inducing solution immediately prior to sticking into the            cell trays. Cuttings were stuck into plastic cell trays            having 98 cells, and containing a moistened peat moss-based            growing medium. The cuttings were misted with water from            overhead for 10 seconds every 30 minutes until sufficient            roots were formed. Rooted cuttings were transplanted and            grown in 6-inch plastic pots in a glass greenhouse located            in Salinas, Calif. Pots contained a peat moss-based growing            medium. Soluble fertilizer containing 20% nitrogen, 10%            phosphorus and 20% potassium was applied once a day or every            other day by overhead irrigation. Plants were fertilized            every 2-3 days, 2 times in consecutive applications and then            given one clear water application. Pots were top-dressed            with a dry, slow release fertilizer containing 14% nitrogen,            14% phosphorus and 14% potassium. The typical average air            temperature was 24° C.        -   Temperature tolerances.—Plants observed to continue            flowering in a temperature range of 5° C. to 36° C. Plants            can withstand high heat and humidity.-   Branches:    -   -   Average number.—3 main branches, 11 total.        -   Length of branches.—Approximately 2.0 cm from soil line to            first node, approximately 20.0 cm total.        -   Diameter of branches.—Main branch is 8.0 mm.        -   Stem color.—RHS 187A (Greyed-purple).-   Stems:    -   -   Color.—RHS 187B (Greyed-purple).        -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 187B (Greyed-purple).        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Description.—Strong; circular cross-section, smooth and            shiny.        -   Size.—Length: 12.0 cm to 13.0 cm. Diameter: 6.0 mm.        -   Internode length.—4.0 cm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled with up to 5 leaves per node, opposite            if only two leaves at one node.        -   Size.—Length: 9.5 cm. Width: 2.8 cm.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate, curled.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Ciliate.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Darker than RHS 147A (Yellow-green).            Lower surface: RHS 147B (Yellow-green).        -   Leaf variegation.—Absent.        -   Leaf fragrance.—Absent.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Dull, waxy.        -   Surface pubescence.—Glabrous.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 147D (Yellow-green).            Lower surface: RHS 187C (Greyed-purple).        -   Petioles.—Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: 0.4 cm. Color: RHS 187C            (Greyed-purple). Texture: Smooth, glabrous.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Shape.—Deltoid, longitudinal cross-section.        -   Surface.—Glabrous.        -   Size.—Length: 1.6 cm. Diameter: 1.2 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 59A (Red-purple).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Single flower with spur.        -   Number of flowers per node.—1 to 3 in bloom, about 4 to 6            flower buds per node.        -   Number of flowers per plant.—Approximately 20 in bloom.        -   Flowering season.—Will flower so long as temperature is            above 5° C.        -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—14 days.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Peduncle.—Color: RHS 187C (Greyed-purple). Size: Length:            4.0 cm. Diameter: 2.0 mm. Texture: Smooth, glabrous.-   Corolla:    -   -   Shape.—Roughly circular with 5 radial petals.        -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 6.0 cm. Depth: 1.0 cm.        -   Petals.—Shape: Obcordate. Apex: Emarginate (cleaved). Base:            Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Pubescence: Glabrous. Size:            Length: 3.5 cm. Width: 2.0 cm. Color: Upper surface: Closest            to but darker than RHS N57A (Red-purple). Lower surface:            Closest to RHS 58B (Red-purple). Eye zone: Closest to RHS            60A (Red-purple). Texture (both surfaces): Soft, smooth.        -   Calyx (sepals).—Shape: Lanceolate. Number: 2. Color: RHS            187D (Greyed-purple). Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm.            Base: Subcordate. Apex: Caudate. Margin: Entire. Texture:            Glabrous.-   Spur:    -   -   Shape.—Tubular; curved downward.        -   Color.—Closest to RHS 58C (Red-purple).        -   Size.—Length: 4.5 cm. Diameter: 2.0 mm.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Form: Fused; split into 4 lobes. Number: Many.            Filament color: RHS 58A (Red-purple). Filament length:            5.0 mm. Pollen number: Abundant. Pollen color: RHS 155D            (White). Pollen description: Powdery. Anther length: 4.0 mm.            Anther color: RHS 155A (White).        -   Pistils.—Number: 5. Stigma color: RHS 143A (Green). Style            color: RHS 143A (Green). Style length: 5.0 mm. Ovary            arrangement: Parietal. Ovary color: RHS 143A (Green).-   Fruit and seed set: No seed set observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or    susceptibility has been observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘SAKIMP022’ differs from female parent ‘NC-35{circle around (2)}’ byhaving red colored flowers, while ‘NC-35{circle around (2)}’ has orangecolored flowers.

‘SAKIMP022’ differs from male parent ‘NC-229A’ by having red coloredflowers, while ‘NC-229A’ has lilac colored flowers.

‘SAKIMP022’ is most similar to the commercial Impatiens ‘SunPatiens®Vigorous Red’ (varietal denomination ‘Misato FG1’) (U.S. Plant Pat. No.17,708); however, there are differences as listed in the table below:

TABLE 1 Comparison with Similar Variety Characteristic ‘SAKIMP022’‘Misato FG1’ Petal color, Closest to, but darker than Closest to RHS 46C(Red) upper surface RHS N57A (Red-Purple) Petal color, Closest to RHS58B (Red- RHS 58C (Red-Purple) lower surface Purple) Petal color,Closest to RHS 60A (Red- RHS 60D (Red-Purple) eye zone Purple) Plantgrowth habit Spreading Vigorous

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of New Guinea Impatiens plantnamed ‘SAKIMP022’ as shown and described herein.